helloEV launches new EV fleet sharing technology in UK

A UK firm has just launched an app that makes it easier for fleets of electric vehicles (EV) to be shared. The Oxford-based company helloEV, founded by Antony Page and Jason Warwick, has introduced the new platform in an attempt to encourage the use of technology to fight the climate emergency.

At its core, the app allows car-pooling managed via a keyless booking system to allow organisations and communities to use vehicles more efficiently - and therefore, reduce the number of vehicles necessary to operate.

Many cities around the UK are implementing zero emissions or clean air zones in which fossil fuel vehicles entering the zone are either required to pay to enter - or are completely excluded from the area. In addition, the UK Government has implemented the Clean Air strategy and requested a total of 29 cities to review air quality levels and this means that alternatives to the traditional vehicle ownership and technology models will increasingly important for residents of UK cities. Chief Technical Officer of helloEV, Jason Warwick, said: ‘As a country we now have 15 years to achieve big change set by government and it’s achievable. The benefits of switching to EVs are vast, zero pollution, a huge reduction in fuel costs, reduced maintenance and having vehicles with a longer life span. We hope the UK embraces shared EVs and the country can make positive strides in this crucial area.’

The European local energy assistance (ELENA) programme is a joint initiative by the European Commission and European Investment Bank and helped set helloEV up. ELENA offers guidance on current government grants for charge points and EVs, as well as advice on taxation and the wider benefits of embracing EVs. It includes test drives and demonstrations of EVs and sharing systems to raise awareness.